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- Aug 8, 2014
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I adopted an orphan kitten about two days ago (found her in the turn lane of a busy road). She's about 4-6 weeks old (according to the pet store helper and vet), and I know she should start weaning and being potty trained at this point. However, I've tried feeding her KMR, soft food, KMR/soft food mix, hard food, tuna, baby food, and anything else I can think of for a baby kitten. She has NO curiosity for anything that I set out on dishes for her, even if the food is heated up. I've only been able to feed her 1/2 tsp KMR through an oral syringe every few hours (which I almost have to force into her), and I'm concerned it 's not enough. I know she's hungry because every other time I hold her, she kneeds and licks me in search of a nipple.
In addition, I've been stimulating her to go potty and while she does urinate, she has yet to defecate. I've sat for minutes at a time (after every feeding) rubbing her, but the only thing I'll get out of her are her teary mews. The vet I took her to has told me that she is completely healthy, and ready to make a bowel movement, but I'm having no luck at all. I've tried putting her in a litter box, but as irony would have it, the only thing she'll willingly eat is kitty litter so I've kept her out of the box completely.
I know it takes time for a kitten to get used to its new surroundings, and it hasn't been that long since I've brought her home, but I'm getting more and more concerned. I start work in a few days and I'm scared to death of leaving her alone in the house, especially if she can't take care of herself. I've never kept a cat (much less a baby kitten), and most of my information is from internet searches over the course of a few days. Any advice would be extremely helpful, but my specific questions for answering are as follows:
1) About how long does it take for a new kitten to become familiar with its surroundings?
2) What can I do to stimulate her curiosity for food? Should I stop feeding her and hope that instincts will take over so that she'll eat from the dishes I set out?
3) How long should it take to wean a kitten?
4) How long at one point should I physically sit down and stimulate her to go potty?
5) How can I stop her from eating kitty litter? If I can get her to stop then it'll be much easier to potty train her.
6) She spends most of the day sleeping, and I'm wondering if there is a need for concern with that.
7) I'm worried that she may be dehydrated and perhaps that's why she has trouble pooping. Anything I can do to treat that?
P.S. Sorry if I double post.
In addition, I've been stimulating her to go potty and while she does urinate, she has yet to defecate. I've sat for minutes at a time (after every feeding) rubbing her, but the only thing I'll get out of her are her teary mews. The vet I took her to has told me that she is completely healthy, and ready to make a bowel movement, but I'm having no luck at all. I've tried putting her in a litter box, but as irony would have it, the only thing she'll willingly eat is kitty litter so I've kept her out of the box completely.
I know it takes time for a kitten to get used to its new surroundings, and it hasn't been that long since I've brought her home, but I'm getting more and more concerned. I start work in a few days and I'm scared to death of leaving her alone in the house, especially if she can't take care of herself. I've never kept a cat (much less a baby kitten), and most of my information is from internet searches over the course of a few days. Any advice would be extremely helpful, but my specific questions for answering are as follows:
1) About how long does it take for a new kitten to become familiar with its surroundings?
2) What can I do to stimulate her curiosity for food? Should I stop feeding her and hope that instincts will take over so that she'll eat from the dishes I set out?
3) How long should it take to wean a kitten?
4) How long at one point should I physically sit down and stimulate her to go potty?
5) How can I stop her from eating kitty litter? If I can get her to stop then it'll be much easier to potty train her.
6) She spends most of the day sleeping, and I'm wondering if there is a need for concern with that.
7) I'm worried that she may be dehydrated and perhaps that's why she has trouble pooping. Anything I can do to treat that?
P.S. Sorry if I double post.